Cottagecore: Interior design ideas for a slower paced life

At its heart, the blossoming cottagecore trend is all about more simplicity and less haste.

Cottagecore romanticises the rural lifestyle. It’s all about slowing things down and appreciating the little things in life. Think floral patchwork prints and flowy milkmaid dresses, to growing your own veg and cooking from scratch.  

Essentially, it’s exactly what you’d imagine from your dream countryside cottage! Full of cosy corners, rustic charm, and a peaceful lifestyle. It’s Disney Princess meets Kevin McCloud.  

But, what about those of us who aren’t lucky enough to live in an 18th-century thatched cottage? Well, the idea of cottagecore can still be applied! By selecting the right textiles, furniture pieces and finishing touches, you can transform even the most modern bedroom into a dreamy cottagecore escape. No cottage required.  

Fancy bringing some cottagecore into your very own bedroom? Read on to learn how you can incorporate your favourite aspects of this rapidly flourishing design trend to adorn your bedroom and the rest of your home. 

What is cottagecore?

Inspired by a quaint and idealised vision of country life, cottagecore encompasses the importance of the natural world, home cooked organic food and caring for others. Its ideals can help to satisfy a popular desire for ‘an aspirational form of nostalgia’ as well as an escape from many forms of stress, according to its supporters. The New York Times called cottagecore ‘a reaction to hustle culture and the advent of personal branding.’

Why is cottagecore booming right now?

So why has the cottagecore trend captured so many hearts and homes? Well, the root of this lifestyle is looking to the natural world for inspiration for relaxation, from outdoor yoga and grounding rituals to forest bathing and foraging. In a world dominated by busy social calendars, “always-on” mentalities and hustle culture, more and more of us are connecting to nature to switch off and relax.  

Cottagecore does exactly that. By bringing the outside in and romanticising a slower-paced, simpler existence, we may just feel more at peace in our homes.

What does the cottagecore philosophy entail?

Cottagecore is all about slowing down, putting less of an emphasis on yourself and instead focusing more on finding refuge in the things you enjoy. This lifestyle choice features some common concepts, including home-baked goods, gardening, and wearing relaxing, fit-for-purpose and second-hand clothes. On TikTok, you’ll see its enthusiasts reading books in meadows, hosting picture-perfect picnics and twirling around in flowy dresses. 

Popular pastimes of the cottagecore aesthetic involve cooking from scratch (thanks, Nara Smith!), going on countryside walks, and experimenting with arts and crafts. Whilst baking loaves of bread and wandering through lush pastures sounds oh-so appealing, the fashion influences of cottagecore cannot be understated either. 

Another way to weave the cottagecore philosophy into your daily life is through fashion. Cottagecore clothing is strongly influenced by simpler, older times from the 1900s to the 1950s. Lace, embroidery, and puffed sleeves are all classic elements of this trend.  

Other fashion staples include billowy blouses, dungarees, and bandanas in the hair, to capture that laid-back countryside vibe. If that hasn’t already set your imagination alight, let’s explore other ways the cottagecore aesthetic is influencing interiors. 

Cottagecore interior design

Cottagecore has also become an interior design trend, based around florals and nostalgic patterns, to create a strong pastoral vibe. Helpfully, its aesthetic is ideal for all rooms of the house, from kitchens to bathrooms, and living rooms to bedrooms. One of the leading content creators is @ourlittlebrickcottage, who shares her renovated English countryside cottage life in sweetly curated videos, all centred around enjoying the “quiet life”… 

@ourlittlebrickcottage

a warm spring weekend in the english countryside 🌿 🌳🧺🍃🌷👒🌸 #englishcountryside #slowliving #cottagecore #seasonalliving #springfeeling #cottagegarden #countrysideliving #cottagelife #quietlife #countrysideviews #latespring #nature #rurallife #springinengland #quintessentiallybritish #visitengland #spring

♬ The Four Seasons Recomposed: Spring I – Eldbjørg Hemsing & NDR Radiophilharmonie & Michael England

Cottagecore design ideas

Want to weave some cottagecore magic into your bedroom? Here are some simple ideas that you can use to give your own home a feel reminiscent of living in a quaint cottage in the old English countryside: 

1. Let your bedroom bloom with florals 

There aren’t many better pairings than florals and the cottagecore aesthetic. So, if you love feminine florals, then this is the perfect trend for you. Whether that’s through chintzy patterned wallpaper, ditsy print curtains or fabulous vases filled with fresh wildflowers, there are so many ways to transform your bedroom into a blooming meadow!

2. Build layers of mix-and-matched soft furnishings 

There’s no doubt about it: a cottagecore bed simply must be squishy and soft and feature oodles of mix-and-matched blankets and cushions. The best set-ups don’t even coordinate on colours and are simply a joyous bundle of cosy fabrics, ready for you to sink into at the end of a long day.  

But if you need some pointers, we’d suggest some pretty lace-trimmed pillowcases, rustic gingham bedding, toasty knitted blankets, and a floral patchwork quilt to finish. Try experimenting with different hues and fabrics for a visual and sensory overload.   

P.S. You get bonus points for anything you’ve knitted or crocheted yourself. Sorry, we don’t make up the rules…   

3. Add rustic charm with wooden furniture 

Now that we’ve covered your soft furnishings, you might want to invest in some wooden furniture to complete your bedroom look. Our wooden beds come in a variety of rustic styles and finishes to suit almost any room. Fitting right into the cottagecore theme of sustainability, our wooden bed frames are sure to stand the test of time. 

Then you’ll need to find a cottagecore-friendly colour. Green is the colour of nature and for many people it brings the feeling of tranquillity and freshness, so naturally this is a superior choice. Pastels also work incredibly well, from pretty pinks to lovely lilacs – if it’s soft, calming and dreamy, you’re on the right track!   

Here are some gorgeous sage green and white bedroom ideas with wooden beds and bedside tables to give your bedroom that natural atmosphere. 

4. Upcycle pre-loved pieces 

Cottagecore emphasises a connection with nature, sustainable living, recycling and upcycling through activities such as knitting, sewing, and gardening. By focusing on ‘traditional’ crafts like weaving, you can help to preserve the past and safeguard the future. You can also help to give a new lease of life to practices that may otherwise start to die out, reducing waste and diminishing our growing reliance on consumer culture. 

It’s ‘make do and mend’ and ‘it’s the little things in life’ attitudes make cottagecore more than just a style trend. It’s a more ethical and mindful way of life with significant benefits to your mental health.

5. Trinkets and knick-knacks galore!  

No cottagecore bedroom is complete without an abundance of trinkets! Fill your bedroom shelves and windowsills with gorgeous ornaments and family heirlooms. Whether that’s a 1st-edition of your favourite childhood book, dainty china teacups that you’ve picked up at a vintage fair, or homemade pottery that you painted with care. With the cottagecore trend, more really is more when it comes to decor.  

You can also collect seashells, driftwood and pebbles and make decorations for your home out of leaves, bark, berries and pinecones. Make use of what you can find when out on your next countryside wander – you’ll find many of the best things about cottagecore are free! 

These bits and bobs don’t just fill the space, they add nostalgic charm and character that will fill you with joy every time you enter your bedroom – and that’s what it’s all about, after all.  

Why not join the cottagecore movement?

There are so many ways you can interpret the cottagecore trend that you’re bound to find one that you can weave into your life. Whether that’s incorporating more greenery into your home or creating your very own custom quilted blanket, slowing down and finding appreciation in life’s smallest moments is a trend we think is well worth celebrating.